Thursday, April 30, 2009

Welcome to Airshow Traveler Magazine's Newsletter, Air Show Weekly, where we take a look at upcoming airshows and showcase current aviation topics.

All air show information listed is accurate as we know it. Still, it is best to check with the individual air show to see if there are any changes. Even then, scheduled aircraft may not appear due to bad weather en route, or because of mechanical breakdown.

The Snowbirds are based at CFB Moose Jaw and every year they put on an acceptance show much like the Blue Angels do when they leave their winter home in El Centro, CA. Though the performer list appears small, it is big in appeal with demos by the CF-18 Hornet (Canadian version of the F/A-18), CF-177 Globemaster III (Canadian version of the C-17), CT-156 Harvard II (Candian version of the Texan II), and an attack demo by the CT-155 Hawk.

If those acts aren't enough reason to go, consider the demo of the F-86 Golden Hawk. Before the Snowbirds were formed, there was the aerial demonstration team known as the Golden Hawks that flew the F-86 Sabre. The team debuted in 1959 as a six-ship team, but the following year they added another jet. Due to budget constraints, the team was disbanded in early 1964 having performed for five years. To commemorate 100 years of powered flight in Canada, an F-86 in Golden Hawk markings will tour Canada this season. For more on this special Canadian heritage flight, check out the website here.

The following is a press release and schedule of events for Lunken Aviation Days to be held this coming weekend. This information was passed on to me by Jennifer Hoyt who has been very good to us, so come out and enjoy a family day in Cincinnati and learn more about aviation. Hey, it's free.

CINCINNATI, OH (April 29, 2009) - "Come and see what we do and why we love it!" Lunken airport is home to an amazing array of corporate and private aircraft. Based here too are historic Warbirds, technologically advanced personal, pleasure aircraft, homebuilt planes, experimental planes and trainers. A vast variety of aircraft will be on display on the main ramp behind the terminal, on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3

The ramp will be open both days to the public for displays, talking to pilots, air traffic controllers, and Warbird enthusiasts. We will host representatives from area flying and aircraft maintenance schools, community colleges and universities. There will be displays of interest for students who want to pursue an aviation career and aviation books and book signings by the honorees of "The Black and White Airmen - Their True Story," and Sarah Richman ....all FREE!

Back by popular demand ... The Midwest Formation Fly IN will take place the same day! You will have a chance to see some of the best formation flying as they attend this 'all weekend' conference here at Lunken.

Many thanks to our sponsors - The John Morrell Company - FREE Hot dogs and Krogers - will serve FREE soda's and water. They donated the buns too!

Enjoy a day at the airport, see all of the airplanes, talk to the pilots and enjoy a FREE Hot dog and a drink. FREE parking across from the terminal building 262 Wilmer Avenue or along Airport Rd.

Here is the schedule of events:

JETS AND AIRPLANES ON DISPLAY ALL DAY ON THE RAMP FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING NEAR THE AIRPORT

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans is a multi-services base with Naval, Marine, Coast Guard and Air Force aircraft stationed here. The Air Force tenant is the 159th Fighter Wing flying the F-15C/D and the C-130E Hercules. On the Marine side of the base is VFA-204 flying the ancient F/A-18A Hornet. Among the Navy tenants is Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 54 (VR-54) flying the C-130T Hercules. One of the best ways to spot a C-130T is the presence of underwing external fuel tanks.

Besides the headliner Blue Angels, the show is mostly aerobatic in nature with the only warbird, a P-51 Mustang, scheduled to appear in the USAF Heritage Flight. Of course, a lack of warbirds is more than made up for with a F-22 Raptor demo. Photographic opportunities are nearly ideal at the base with only sidelit conditions until around 10AM with frontlit the rest of the day.

Bill Braack races the AFRC jet dragster against Bill Reeseman's Red bull at Nellis AFB and takes a breather while being towed back. Both photos by Mike Leister, director of the AMC Museum, Dover AFB, DE.

Performers & Static

Static

Blue Angels

C-12 Huron

Golden Knights

E-2 Hawkeye

F-22 Raptor Demo

E-6 Mercury

Chuck Aaron and the Red Bull Helicopter

F/A-18 Hornet

Matt Chapman and his CAP 580

H-60 Seahawk

Julie Clark and her Mentor

T-34 Mentor

Jan Collmer and his Extra 300

T-44 Pegasus

Greg Poe and his Fagen Edge

A-10 Thunderbolt II

Air Force Reserve Jet Dragster

F-16 Fighting Falcon

Army Virtual Experience

F-15 Eagle

USAF Heritage Flight: P-51, F-16, F-22

KC-135 Stratotanker

T-38 Talon

T-6 Texan II

WC-130 Hercules

UH-72 Lakota

AG-1 Cobra

UH-1 Twin Huey

UC-35 Citation

HH-65 Dolphin

B-25 Mitchell

T-28 Trojan

L-39 Albatross

C-172 Skylane

L-17B Navion

Central Texas Air Show, May 2-3

Location: Draughon-Miller Central Texas Airport, Temple, TX

Admission, Adults: $12 in advance, $15 at gateAdmission, Children 7-12: $4 in advance, $5 at gate

With this airport located relatively close, at least by air, to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, this show will be inundated with their warbirds like the OV-10 Bronco. But there are more warbirds on tap as well and some quality aerobatic performances like the Aeroshell team. There's also an A-10 Thunderbolt II demo, AKA 'Warthog', and a Saturday flyby only of a B-2 Spirit bomber.

One of our favorite warbirds will perform at the show, namely the P-51D Mustang 'Gunfighter' (44-73264, N5428V), which is owned by General Reg Urschler and flown by Larry Lumpkin.

Robins AFB is home to the 116th Air Control Wing (ACW) flying the E-8C Joint STARS (Surveillance Target Attack Radar System) or JSTARS for short. The base is also home to the 78th Air Base Wing which supports the Warner Robins Logistics Center, one of three Air Force logistics centers in the US. Robins is named for the father of Air Force logistics, General Augustine Warner Robins. Logistics in Air Force terms means the management of materiels like aircraft, missiles, engines, avionics, software, etc.

This is a great show with the headliner Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights performing. And if you are a warbird nut like we are, you will be thrilled by the Commemorative Air Force's Battle of Midway extravaganza. We've seen this event before and it's awesome. For more thrills there's the four-ship Cobra team, the Sky Soldiers, and our friends from Republic Airport, the Geico Skytypers. And the biggest reason to go - yes, F-4s forever. A Phantom II will be flying in the USAF Heritage Flight. Like I say, this is a great lineup of air show all-stars. Ah, if only I could afford the plane ticket...and the hotel...and the rental car :)

And as long as you're visiting the show, check out the Museum of Aviation. See Museum News below for special events at the museum.

Similar to the New Orleans show, photographic opportunities are nearly ideal at the base with only sidelit conditions until around 10AM with frontlit the rest of the day.

Only eighteen E-8C JSTARS aircraft were built and they all reside at Robins. This photo of an E-8C (97-0010) was taken by Horace Sagnor at Nellis AFB. You can see the orange pylons surrounding the plane. What you can't see are the armed guards on the perimeter with watchful eyes.

The museum will host a traveling exhibit honoring the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. When a blockade of Berlin was imposed by the Soviet Union from June 1948 to May 1949, the US and Great Britain began an airdrop of much needed food and supplies to the city's residents. US aircraft included the C-47 and C-54. The two countries managed to fly 278,228 missions delivering 326,406 tons of food and supplies. Though the blockade ended in May, flights continued through September 1949.

May 2: Astronomy Day

This Saturday will be Astronomy Day at the museum. The event will take place on the outdoor amphitheater at the Museum from 9AM to 5PM. Attendees will have a chance to look through a telescope and experience first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers excited. This year is the 400th anniversary of Galieo's first discoveries through a telescope.

May 3: Thunderbird F-16 to go on Display

Beginning on May 3rd, visitors to the museum will be able to see an F-16 Fighting Falcon restored to its original Thunderbird markings. The aircraft served with the team in the early 1980s and was moved to the museum from Robins AFB. Kudos to the Carl Vinson chapter 296 of the Air Force Association for their contribution of $17,000 to make this all possible. The new display grand opening coincides with the air show at Robins AFB this weekend. This is only the second original Thunderbird F-16 to go on display with the other housed at the National Museum of the USAF.

Looking Ahead

Next Week:

May 9-10: Barksdale AFB, LAMay 9-10: Branson, MO

Blue Angels:

May 2-3: NAS New Orleans, LAMay 9-10: Barksdale AFB, LA

May 16-17: MCAS Beaufort, SC

May 23-24: NAS Patuxent River, MD

Thunderbirds:

May 2-3: Robins AFB, GAMay 9-10: Branson, MO

May 15-17: Andrews AFB, MD

May 23-24: Jones Beach, NY

Thank You

Thank you for reading the latest issue of our newsletter.

God Bless Us Everyone,

Wayne Matusiak, Publisher Airshow Traveler Magazine

Visit Our Sponsors

American Airpower Museum:Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. Great aircraft and warm, friendly people. Very knowledgeable staff. A great place to visit any time of year. We thank them for their support over the years.

Warbirds Over Long Island: With the passing of Bob Baranaskas we are uncertain of the future of this top notch outfit. Hopefully, Bob's oldest son Chris will continue his Dad's vision, but whatever he and his family decide, we support them 100%. These are trying times for the Baranaskas family so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.